ROCKFORD – Will current Rockford IceHogs be concerned about damage done during their careers by concussions in 20 to 30 years?

Brain injuries are common in the sport, with more attention being paid to find solutions to lessen the problem.

But progress wasn’t made fast enough according to a group of 10 former National Hockey League players ranging in age from 46 to 65. They filed a class-action lawsuit last week, claiming the league purposely concealed brain injury risks for players, thus exposing them to unnecessary dangers.

They noted that a study was begun in 1997, but that no significant change was instituted until 2010. The league then made it a penalty to target a player’s head.

“It’s not a thing I worry about,” said Rockford winger Kyle Beach, who has been in more than his share of fights in his career. “Have I had them? Yeah. Am I going to have more? Yeah.

“But at the same time, you’ve got to keep your head up, protect yourself at all times and try not to put yourself in a vulnerable position to get hit. And, trust that as much as you’re looking out for your own safety, the opposing team and players are also looking out for their safety and your safety as well.”

Beach said he believes the league has taken a lot of steps in the past 5-10 years on concussion concerns.

“But obviously when those guys were playing, the knowledge we have today wasn’t there yet,” he said. “The same guidelines and restrictions weren’t there.”

Veteran defenseman Jared Nightingale thinks the game “is moving in the right direction.”

“But I don’t think you can totally eliminate concussions,” he said. “I think you need to protect the player first and foremost.”

Rockford head coach Ted Dent, who said he never had a concussion as a player, thinks the sport is making important progress.

“The NHL has taken a real serious stance on it with the suspensions they’ve given out this year and in the past – lengthy suspensions and fines as well,” he said. “It is a serious thing they are paying attention to.

“I think you see it in the game in general. There’s less fighting, less after-the-whistle fisticuffs and pushing and shoving.”